Sweden in Focus

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In this week's episode: why Sweden's deputy PM wants to restrict immigrants’ voting rights, how to get your body and mind ready for the winter, why a Swedish ad featuring the English c-word went viral last week.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and James Savage. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Sweden's deputy PM proposes cutting non-citizens' voting rights
• Sweden Democrats call for ban on new citizenships until tougher rules are in place

• How to prepare for a snowstorm in Sweden 
• How a year on my allotment taught me to appreciate the Swedish seasons 

• Stockholm Metro ad blasted over 'shocking' use of English c-word 

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In this week's episode: will immigrants become cultural canon fodder? How Swedish politicians have reacted to Donald Trump’s victory, what's happening with the Tesla strike?

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and Nordic editor Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Is the ‘arm’s length’ principle for the arts in Sweden at risk of amputation?
• LISTEN: Sweden's cultural canon plan and what it means for foreigners

• Politics in Sweden: How Trump's victory let Sweden's PM show off his gravitas 

• Swedish union boss: 'Culture clash' behind strikes against Tesla 
• Swedish union slams Tesla for bringing in foreign strike breakers 

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In this week's episode: We chat to Americans about the US election result and how it will affect Sweden, Riksbank slashes key interest rate, reactions to the guilty verdict delivered to the far-right leader Rasmus Paludan for hate speech.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and publisher James Savage. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Americans in Sweden mourn Democrat defeat at election vigils
• 'I miss being with other Americans who feel the stakes as deeply as I do'
• Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson congratulates Trump on election win

• Sweden's Riksbank slashes rates with first 'double cut' in a decade 
• IN FIGURES: How could lower interest rates affect your Swedish mortgage? 

• Swedish court jails Danish extremist Rasmus Paludan for hate crimes 

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

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• For new members: Get Membership+ 

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In this week's episode: How gang crime is top of the agenda for Nordic leaders, why a politician wants to make recognizing Israel a condition of citizenship, the controversial past of India’s new ambassador, and which of Swedish universities are really world class.

Host James Savage is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Nordic countries vow joint crackdown on gangs and migration

New Swedish citizens should have to recognise Israel, MEP demands

India's new ambassador to Sweden tainted by maid abuse scandal

RANKED: The best universities in Scandinavia for 2025

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

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In this week's episode: Halloween preparations, why Sweden is seeing fewer work permit applications, how a new fiscal policy framework has divided Sweden's left-wing parties.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Halloween vs All Saints Day: How to celebrate in Sweden
• The best places to celebrate Halloween in Sweden this year

• Swedish Migration Agency: We underestimated effect of work permit salary threshold 

• EXPLAINED: How significant is it that Sweden is changing its fiscal target? 
• Politics in Sweden: Have the Social Democrats just lost themselves the next election? 

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In this week's episode: Signs you live in Sweden, Rasmus Paludan on trial over anti-Muslim slurs, how celebrating your home culture can connect you to Sweden.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and James Savage, and we also hear from India Unlimited founder Sanjoo Malhotra about expressions of Indian culture in Sweden. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Tell us you live in Sweden without telling us you live in Sweden

• Danish-Swedish extremist Rasmus Paludan charged with hate crimes 

• How celebrating your home culture can make you feel more connected to Sweden 

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

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In this week's episode: Rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, journalists slammed for prostitution tips, and how damaging are the Sweden Democrats' biker gang links?

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and James Savage, as well as guest Jonathan Leman from anti-racism foundation Expo. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• New report reveals sharp rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes in Sweden

• Why was there a gang leader at Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Åkesson's wedding? 

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

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Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

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In this week's episode: Stockholm governor fired over recruitment nepotism, how cinnamon became Swedes' spice of choice, and why a begging ban feels like a throwback. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. The episode also features an interview with food historian Daniel Serra.  

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• How a Swedish nepotism scandal highlights poor recruitment practices

• When did Swedes get so crazy about cinnamon? 
• What does the Swedish food agency think we should be eating more or less of? 

• Sweden's government enters trickier territory with begging ban 

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

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Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

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In this week's episode: how Northvolt's crisis is hitting foreign workers and how recruiters can get better at gauging Swedish language skills. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and James Savage. The episode also features interviews with Helene Robson from Engineers of Sweden and Pernilla Johansson from the Language Council of Sweden. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Northvolt to slash almost a quarter of its workforce
• OPINION: Sweden needs to reconsider 'three-month deadline' for laid-off non-EU workers
• Five things you need to do right away if you're getting laid off in Sweden

• Is it ok to speak English? How to shine at your Swedish job interview

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+

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• For new members: Get Membership+ 

Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. 

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In this week's episode: how the new budget affects foreigners, favourite Swedish expressions, and a Social Democrat lottery scandal. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• How will Sweden's new budget affect foreign residents?

• Seven Swedish expressions which will make you sound like a local
• Swedish word of the day: tjafs

• Why a lottery scandal could change the funding balance in Swedish politics 

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+

• For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+
• For new members: Get Membership+ 

Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. 

Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

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